This glossary lists SPM Chemistry terms with their Bahasa Melayu equivalents, an example in context and the term each is most easily confused with. For more help switching between languages, use the BM-English terminology bridge with Chinese explanations.
Which terms describe matter and structure?
| Term (Bahasa Melayu) | Meaning | Example | Confused with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atom (atom) | Smallest particle of an element | A sodium atom has 11 protons | Molecule |
| Ion (ion) | Atom or group with a charge | Na⁺ has lost one electron | Atom |
| Molecule (molekul) | Two or more atoms joined by covalent bonds | Water, H₂O | Compound |
| Element (unsur) | One type of atom only | Oxygen, O₂ | Compound |
| Compound (sebatian) | Different elements chemically joined | Sodium chloride, NaCl | Mixture |
| Mixture (campuran) | Substances not chemically joined | Salt and sand | Compound |
| Isotope (isotop) | Atoms of one element with different neutron numbers | Chlorine-35 and chlorine-37 | Isomer |
Which terms are used in calculations?
| Term (Bahasa Melayu) | Meaning | Example | Confused with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mole (mol) | A counting unit for particles | 1 mol of carbon has mass 12 g | Mass |
| Relative atomic mass (jisim atom relatif) | Mass of an atom compared to carbon-12 | Magnesium is 24 | Mass number |
| Empirical formula (formula empirik) | Simplest whole-number ratio of atoms | CH₂ for ethene | Molecular formula |
| Concentration (kepekatan) | Amount of solute in a given volume | 0.5 mol dm⁻³ | Strength |
Which terms describe reactions?
| Term (Bahasa Melayu) | Meaning | Example | Confused with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxidation (pengoksidaan) | Loss of electrons | Mg becomes Mg²⁺ | Reduction |
| Reduction (penurunan) | Gain of electrons | Cu²⁺ becomes Cu | Oxidation |
| Neutralisation (peneutralan) | Acid reacts with base to form salt and water | HCl + NaOH | Dilution |
| Precipitate (mendakan) | Insoluble solid formed in a solution | White solid when solutions mix | Residue |
| Catalyst (mangkin) | Speeds up a reaction and is not used up | Manganese(IV) oxide | Reactant |
| Activation energy (tenaga pengaktifan) | Minimum energy needed for effective collision | Energy barrier on a profile | Enthalpy change |
| Exothermic (eksotermik) | Releases heat to surroundings | Burning magnesium | Endothermic |
Which words appear in questions?
| Term (Bahasa Melayu) | Meaning | Example | Confused with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Observation (pemerhatian) | What you see or measure | Gas bubbles form | Inference |
| Inference (inferens) | A conclusion from an observation | The gas is carbon dioxide | Observation |
| Variable (pemboleh ubah) | A factor that can change | Temperature | Constant |
| Explain (terangkan) | Give a reason using chemistry ideas | Because particles collide more | Describe |
Use these terms in full sentences in your answers. If wording is your main problem, read the SPM Chemistry exam guide. The SPM Chemistry learning guide links each term to its topic.
For a teacher to go through the terms with you, see online one-to-one Chemistry tuition.